antisocialGTR

I need some help deciding what to do about my 2018 AMG GTR Carbon Fiber Roof that has began to discolor under the clear coat on two or three spots right above the windshield and right above the back glass. Mercedes is willing to warranty it (about a $15,000 job for the dealer) but the dealers body shop won't touch it and neither will either of the other three MB certified body shops in my state. My dilemma is that the spots aren't too bad, but a garage kept 2,000 mile car should be perfect... A couple things I'm thinking about here; 1. If they can actually find a shop to do the job, do I really want the car all ripped apart for a couple of small blemishes (assuming they don't get worse when the cars warranty runs out?) 2. Since the dealer had my car for a month and gave it back to me unfixed should I be asking them for something as far as compensation? (I traded in my 2016 GTS for this one just a couple months ago) 3. How much value does the car lose if it's had this kind of work done to it when I go to sell it since it's such a low mileage collector type car?

Part of my frustration is that Mercedes customer service has been HORRIBLE, it took numerous phone calls and hours on hold just trying to get to someone who actually works in whatever department at MB USA. They've been trying to just shove this back on the dealer who have actually been helpful. It's now been about three weeks since they started "calling around" to MB certified body shops trying to find one that will work on the car.

It's kind of a tricky spot, what should I be asking for?

Skilly

A few things to unpack.

Depending on lemon laws in your state the amount of time that they had it is not ideal. In California is 30 business days where a claim can be made, but MB isn't always accommodating. It will depend on your dealer as to whether its a smooth ride or a difficult one. They will need to support you. Dealer compensation for the downtime is rare, but at face value I wouldn't expect more than a monthly payment from them on that downtime.

Second, the car won't lose value, with a repair. But short of seeing it I would suspect it's not repairable like you think. Carbon isn't easy to work on; that's likely why the shops don't want to do it. It typically has a UV protectant clear coat on it but if it's discolored with a yellow haze, its likely not the clear coat that is at fault. It's the resin. Resin can't be fixed without removing it which will require removal down to the fabric and then a fill. Very few specialists will even attempt this kind of job.

My take is that there are no good answers for you. To fix it you would need a specialist in Carbon repair to look at it to evaluate the work and from there you will be faced with many days with it away from you. Alternatively MB could change out the roof (if that's even possible) with again a very long wait - a regular dealership wont be equipped to do this. Or lastly you could seek a lemon law compensation option which will likely also drag out. I'd talk to the General Manager of the MB dealership you bought it from and see how they would support you. Maybe they would be willing to take it on trade without you losing the original cost as a 4th option to consider.

NYCSoiL

I would find a good detailing shop and ask them if there’s something they can do. If they can polish it out I would also apply xpel on top. I just don’t trust US bodyshops, even “authorized”, they might even do more damage than it is. Also, you can try to talk to MBUSA and ask them for a check, let’s say 50% cost of the job that they would have pay to the shop to replace the roof.

thecutter64

I agree with a high end detailing shop as a start. The shop I used for PPF does all sorts of restorations and works on high end cars like the full carbon fiber Paganis.

ZephyrAMG

I did XPEL PPF on mine however I have still seen CF yellow underneath the film on cars before. Anybody ever see this? I think its just the nature of clearcoat...

TECHNICIAN

Any pics?

AMG 17GT

Tell MB you will find your own shop and to mail you the 15k.

if your dealer was doing their best, I would write GM and tell them what a great shop they have. Will give you good will on any future issues.

PPF with light tint should get CF variations evened out.

Mazspeed

This might sound a bit silly but maybe doing a carbon fiber wrap over the carbon fiber roof might helping blocking the sun but also still give you the carbon fiber look even though you know it’s a carbon fiber roof. More than likely your issue is going to take a lot of money and time away from you and it’s not an issue that would cause it to come apart. Just a thought.

antisocialGTR

Great replies, thank you! So the only thing MB USA wants to do is replace the top, which I'm not surprised and pretty much expected. They sent a whole new carbon fiber top to the dealer ($13,000 just for the parts) and it's just sitting there because they can't find anyone to replace it.

I really just don't know what my rights are now that Mercedes acknowledged that it's a warranty item but can't fix it.

I'll grab a couple pictures of it tonight.

Skilly

Its not the nature of clear or any light color car would eventually show this yellowing. I think the yellow is the resin - the clear lets the UV go through to it and it discolors. Cheaply finished CF parts are the usual suspects, but it can happen with high quality too. It's a nightmare (and costly) to fix if you will even find a shop that will do it.

antisocialGTR

I thought I had them but I guess not, I'll grab a couple pics of it tonight.

Skilly

where are you located? If it happens to be NorCal, I know a shop that is capable of doing it.

antisocialGTR

UPDATE:
So after another week of Mercedes just calling around trying to find a dealer or body shop that is willing to replace the roof... Nothing... I absolutely love this car (as anyone would!) so I don't want it bought back. Not that they've offered that anyway. This is two months now that they've been trying to find someone to do it. I asked a month ago for a field engineer to get involved and was told it doesn't work that way. Now the only update I've been given is that field engineer is involved.... I'm so pissed at the terrible level of service and attitude by Mercedes USA that it's making me want to milk them for what I thought was a half way regular warranty repair. The "Mercedes executive referral manager" keeps asking me if I want to "make a different proposition" and now I'm thinking about it! How about swap mine out for a brand new one? Does anyone know what my recourse should be or what I should be asking them to do for me?

NYCSoiL

I don’t think that this issue will get you a new car or a buyback. Just ask for cash...

Skilly

From their perspective, you bought a used car (this one) 2 months ago from them that has an esthetic failure that they are offering to replace. It sucks no doubt, but it's not a mechanical failure or one that makes the car unsafe. So, the car shouldn't be in the shop at this point, unless you are refusing to take it back.

Asking for a brand new replacement is likely way over the top as a remedy and could have the reverse effect and result in them digging in and having you work with their legal department. I just can't imagine MB finding this much more than that. If you insist on returning the car the dealer short of a legal recourse, the dealership *may* work with you and provide you a credit equal to the amount you paid for it but I would expect a gap between your 2018 GTR and a 2020 version if they can even find one. Have you consulted with the General Manager to get their take on what they are willing to do for you?

Maybe post some pictures so we have a frame of reference?

antisocialGTR

Most of me is thinking the same way you are, I can't bring myself to ask them for a replacement car and really wouldn't want one unless the offered something crazy like that but at the end of the day it's a warranty issue that they agreed to fix and now won't, or more accurately can't... The car was a CPO with 1,600 miles on it so I'm sure a peeling/discolored top wouldn't be part of the exterior condition parameters to even CPO the car to begin with. I took the car from them after the first month in the shop, I actually had to call them to get it back. Again, they went as far as sending a $13,000 top to the dealer that's sitting in their parts department. I've spoken to the service manager multiple times and he saying the same thing I am. He thinks everyone is declining to do the work because Mercedes is only willing to pay 8 hours to do the replacement. This is a Penske owned store so it's not some mom and pop small store. It just seems strange that a company like Mercedes won't pay one of these shops enough to be comfortable doing the job, they are totally fine with just letting me sit here in limbo while they call 30 or 40 body shops and try to find one to do it. They've been calling around for a month now so I don't know when enough is enough. Dealing with their legal team might just be the only way to go here...

Wolfman

Why not ask for another car? What do you have to loose? The "Mercedes executive referral manager" is literally asking you to come up with an idea that they can support. Having their own dealer network refuse to perform warranty work (which is crazy by itself) looks worse to them than providing another car. Cars they have and giving you one might be easier than try to work out another solution. I would act fast before any available inventory is running out now that the car has reached the end of the life cycle.

Skilly

Are we talking about the whole roof discoloring, or a small piece the size of a thumbnail? Pictures would help if you are looking for perspective.

That said, I think a few here have mentioned (and I agree) getting some form of payment seems reasonable. But, that also depends too - are you in possession of the car and driving it, and it's the waiting for a shop that is causing the concern? Or is it sitting in the shop etc (because that would change everything)? The wait sucks no doubt, but if we are talking about a minor imperfection and you have your car for driving my guess is that beyond the $15,000 repair cost will be a tough sell. MB scoping 8 hours seems WAY out of touch. Just for fun you should see what they spec to re and re the headliner - I would expect that that alone is 4 to 6 hrs. i think someone is making a mistake on that quote; it just doesn't sound right.

thebishman

Personally I would investigate the very best local body shops and find out if a couple of them are willing/comfortable doing the job knowing that you would be supplying the OEM CF roof.

When you’ve got a couple of quotes, sit down with the Service Manager and show him/her the estimates. Ask him to talk to the area Rep to authorize an outside independent body shop to perform the replacement, and that MB would warranty the repair as if it was done at a MB body shop.

If they refuse to do that, ask the Service Manager directly what options is MB considering because doing nothing is a breech of the warranty.

If you still don’t obtain a satisfactory response, you may be forced to spend money on legal representation. In my opinion; worth every penny.

Good luck.

Bish

550x2

I got two years of service after I complained about them having my car for three weeks to replace injectors under warranty. Just ask the service manager if he can do something to compensate you for your time without the car that you were still paying for. I said I’ve been driving a $35k A class instead of my GTC while I’ve been paying for a GTC. It worked.

COOPERDB

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Case1906

Any updates? Where are you located? I know of a shop in Maryland which I’m sure could do the work. I wonder if the Mercedes limitation on hours is the problem? Shops may be thinking it is too hard of a job without being compensated with more hours and a parts mark-up.

antisocialGTR

The "Executive Referral Manager" called me back after 3 days to tell me that they still don't have an update for me. I asked a few question as to why nobody is willing to do the work, she can't tell me anything... I asked her since it's been about 10 week at what point do I say this is a breach of the warranty? Or what is stopping you guys from calling me every week telling me there is no update like you've been doing until the end of time. She just asks if I want to make another request... Outside of the issue with the car the service is just terrible so it's making me want to just ask for money and be done with it which really isn't the intention here.

akgarage

Post some pics

antisocialGTR

Here's a few pics, there are 5 or 6 areas mostly on the front and back edges with on on the corner where it's beginning to peel. The one I noticed first is about 7 inches long right in the middle of the front edge against the windshield. The others are between and inch and 5 inches long. My ultimate fear is it keeps getting worse if they can't find anyone to do the work now that they have already told me they'll cover it and it's definitely defective. I just keep going back and fourth, part of me feels like it's not a huge deal but at the same time it's still a $140,000 CPO car with 2,000 miles on it, I shouldn't be worried about the roof peeling.